Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James set another breathtaking milestone in the NBA on Tuesday night at the Crypto.com Arena.
Already the NBA’s career scoring leader, James further etched his name in the history books by becoming the only player in NBA history to score 39,000 career points.
LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to reach 39,000 points! pic.twitter.com/b6JeESJ6kA
— NBA (@NBA) November 22, 2023
The 38-year-old reached the milestone with a 3-pointer in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz. He finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in 24 minutes as the Lakers completed an unbeaten run through Group Play in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
“I got congratulated by my teammates and coaches, (but) I haven’t had an opportunity to really wrap my head around what that means,” James said. “There’s been so many great players that came across this league since the beginning of time, and so many great scorers.
“To be able to accomplish something that’s the first of anything, I think that’s always pretty cool. It’s a wild moment, that’s for sure.”
#LakeShow +32 pic.twitter.com/mDaIvUzOUh
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 22, 2023
The victory against the Jazz helped the Lakers seal their fourth win of the NBA in-season tournament and clinch the West Group A to progress to the quarter-finals.
James, who is in his 21st season, is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists; and at his current pace and barring any injuries, he is expected to reach the 40,000-point mark around the All-Star break.
